coarseness

/ˈkɔːsnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɔːrsnəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkȯrs-nəs/ (ame, mw)

coarseness — noun

1. the quality a material, surface, or substance has when it feels rough to the tou

1.名詞C2
釋義

the quality a material, surface, or substance has when it feels rough to the touch or is made of larger grains than usual.

例句

The coarseness of the towel scratched Nala's neck after the swim.

the coarseness of [fabric] + affect body part

Jiwoo checked the coarseness of the salt before seasoning the soup.

coarseness of a substance measured before use

同義詞
  • roughness

    broader and more common; can describe texture, movement, or behaviour

  • graininess

    focuses more on visible particles or bits than on scratchy feel

  • harshness

    can overlap for touch, but often extends to sound, light, or treatment

反義詞
  • smoothness

    the direct opposite for an even, non-rough surface

  • softness

    emphasizes a pleasant feel rather than large grains

文法句型

the coarseness of [material / surface / substance]

用法筆記

Usually describes cloth, skin, sand, stone, paper, or other things you can feel or see closely. Distinguish it from sense 2 by checking what has the quality: sense 1 belongs to a surface or substance, not to someone's manners.

常見錯誤

❌The coarseness of the waiter made the guests leave.
✅The coarseness of the tablecloth made the guests' arms itch.
💡sense 1 needs a material or surface, not a person's behaviour.

2. the quality of speech or behaviour that sounds low, rude, or embarrassing becaus

2.名詞C2
釋義

the quality of speech or behaviour that sounds low, rude, or embarrassing because it shows little social refinement.

例句

Selim apologized for the coarseness of his joke at lunch.

apologize for the coarseness of [joke]

The host warned Gabriel about the coarseness of his language online.

coarseness of language in social use

同義詞
  • vulgarity

    stronger on bad taste and social offensiveness

  • crudeness

    often points to blunt or bodily content, especially in jokes or comments

  • rudeness

    broader and more common; includes simple bad manners without a vulgar tone

反義詞
  • politeness

    the everyday opposite in speech and behaviour

  • refinement

    suggests cultivated, careful taste and manners

文法句型

the coarseness of [language / joke / behaviour / remark]

用法筆記

Most often appears with language, jokes, humour, comments, or behaviour. It suggests more than ordinary impoliteness: the tone feels low, tasteless, or socially embarrassing, not just abrupt.

常見錯誤

❌The coarseness of the blanket kept the baby awake.
✅The roughness of the blanket kept the baby awake.
💡sense 2 is about offensive speech or manners, not fabric texture.